The Book of Joyous Children

By James Whitcomb Riley

"The Book of Joyous Children" by James Whitcomb Riley is a collection of nursery rhymes and poems written for children of all ages. Riley was known as the "children's poet" due to his ability to capture magic and whimsy that young readers adore. The Dream-March, Elmer Brown, The Best Times, and more await readers young and old who wish to read something joyful and light. This book has graced bookshelves for decades and has been a favorite in the lives of countless children.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Good Press
• Release date: Dec 19, 2019
• ISBN: 4064066163945

Book preview

James Whitcomb Riley

The Book of Joyous Children

Published by Good Press, 2022

[e-mail]

EAN 4064066163945

Table of Contents

DREAM-MARCH

ELMER BROWN

NO BOY KNOWS

WHEN WE FIRST PLAYED SHOW

A DIVERTED TRAGEDY

THE RAMBO-TREE

FIND THE FAVORITE

THE BOY PATRIOT

EXTREMES

INTELLECTUAL LIMITATIONS

A MASQUE OF THE SEASONS

THOMAS THE PRETENDER

LITTLE DICK AND THE CLOCK

FOOL-YOUNGENS

THE KATYDIDS

BILLY AND HIS DRUM

THE NOBLE OLD ELM

THE PENALTY OF GENIUS

EVENSONG

IGO AND AGO

THE LITTLE LADY

COMPANY MANNERS

IN FERVENT PRAISE OF PICNICS

THE GOOD, OLD-FASHIONED PEOPLE

THE BEST TIMES

HIK-TEE-DIK!

THE WAR-CRY OF BILLY AND BUDDY

A CHRISTMAS MEMORY

OLD BOB WHITE

OLD BOB WHITE

A SESSION WITH UNCLE SIDNEY

[1869]

A DUBIOUS OLD KRISS

A SONG OF SINGING

THE JAYBIRD

A BEAR FAMILY

SOME SONGS AFTER MASTER SINGERS

I

II

III

IV

V

VI

OLD MAN WHISKERY-WHEE-KUM-WHEEZE

LITTLE-GIRL-TWO-LITTLE-GIRLS

A GUSTATORY ACHIEVEMENT

CLIMATIC SORCERY

A PARENT REPRIMANDED

THE TREASURE OF THE WISE MAN

When I wuz ist a little bit

o' weenty-teenty kid

I maked up a Fairy-tale,

all by myse'f, I did:—

I

Wunst upon a time wunst

They wuz a Fairy King,

An' ever'thing he have wuz gold—,

His clo'es, an' ever'thing!

An' all the other Fairies

In his goldun Palace-hall

Had to hump an' hustle—

'Cause he wuz bosst of all!

II

He have a goldun trumput,

An' when he blow' on that,

It's a sign he want' his boots,

Er his coat er hat:

[9]

They's a sign fer ever'thing,—

An' all the Fairies knowed

Ever' sign, an' come a-hoppin'

When the King blowed!

III

Wunst he blowed an' telled 'em all:

"Saddle up yer bees—

Fireflies is gittin' fat

An' sassy as you please!—

Guess we'll go a-huntin'!"

So they hunt' a little bit,

Till the King blowed Supper-time,

Nen they all quit.

IV

Nen they have a Banqut

In the Palace-hall,

An' ist et! an' et! an' et!

Nen they have a Ball;

An' when the Queen o' Fairyland

Come p'omenadin' through,

The King says an' halts her,—

Guess I'll marry you!

DREAM-MARCH

Table of Contents

"Wasn't it a funny dream!—perfectly bewild'rin'!—

Last night, and night before, and night before that,

Seemed like I saw the march o' regiments o' children,

Marching to the robin's fife and cricket's rat-ta-tat!

Lily-banners overhead, with the dew upon 'em,

On flashed the little army, as with sword and flame;

Like the buzz o' bumble-wings, with the honey on 'em,

Came an eerie, cheery chant, chiming as it came:—

Where go the children? Travelling! Travelling!

Where go the children, travelling ahead?

Some go to kindergarten; some go to day-school;

Some go to night-school; and some go